Animal control changes in works

Ordinance amendments pass second reading.

Animal control ordinance amendments - including sterilization and microchip clauses - are moving toward adoption by the Beaufort County Council.

The second of three required readings passed unanimously Monday. A public hearing third reading are scheduled for Nov. 8.

Councilman Rick Caporal has been at the forefront of efforts to improve animal control efforts with an eye to reducing the county shelter's 72 percent "kill rate" as much as possible.

"Ordinance revisions began six months ago with the understanding that further refinement would be necessary," he said.

Public Safety Director William Winn "did this revision unprompted. He has an excellent understanding of why the changes were necessary," Caporale said.

Winn and Animal Shelter and Control Director Toni Lytton "have done a great job without any budget increases," Caporale said.

The councilman said the two major concerns remaining are finding volunteers and reducing the population of abandoned animals.

"As the kill rate drops more and more, from 72 percent closer to 50 percent, there are more animals to take care of," Caporale said.

"So the second thing is reducing the number of abandoned animals with spay/neuter clinics," he said.

Currently, spay/neuter efforts are voluntary for pet owners; but that could change, Caporale said.

"We will know in a couple of years if voluntary spaying and neutering is working or if we need to go to a mandatory ordinance, which will be very unpopular with the public and even with some council members," he said.

The proposed amendments endorsed Monday include adjusted fee schedules for redemption of impounded animals, adoption policies and charges for services such as sterilization or microchip implants.

Changes include:

A new "intact animal fine" of $200 for pet owners who want to reclaim impounded animals without having it surgically sterilized. The second time an animal is impounded within a calendar year the owner would pay a fine of $1,000 to reclaim it intact.

A new clause, "All reclaimed animals are required to be microchipped prior to release to their owners along with payment of a redemption fee. Both the fee for implantation of a microchip and the redemption fee shall be in the amount recommended by the county administrator."

An exception to the holding period, which allows the county to euthanize animals not claimed after five working days. "However, if the animal is terminally ill, critically injured or a threat to the shelter staff and/or other animals being housed at the shelter, the county veterinarian or director may waive the five-day hold period and the animal may be immediately disposed of in a humane manner."

There is also a provision for holding animals in excess of the shelter capacity. "If all local rescuers are full and the number of animals exceeds the holding space available, the director can network with other organizations within and outside Beaufort County for their care and placement."

An addition to the requirement that a rabies certificate be presented to reclaim and impounded animal. "If a rabies certificate is not presented within three business days, an animal control officer will issue the owner a ticket, which will be processed through the Magistrate's Court in Beaufort County."

And a new policy allowing Animal Control to refuse adoption to previous owners who have turned in an animal. "If any person turns in an owned animal to the shelter... they will not be able to adopt an animal for 90 days. Persons turning more than one owned animal within one year will no longer be allowed to adopt an animal from the shelter."

Redemption fees would be reduced from $100 to $50 for the first 24 hours of confinement for the first impoundment; fees for the second impound would be reduced from $250 to $125; and fees for the third and subsequent impoundments would be reduced from $500 to $250.

Animal shelter offers free spay clinic

The Beaufort County Animal Shelter will offer a free spay clinic Nov. 6 for female dogs weighing less than 40 pounds.

The clinic is also open to those who live outside Beaufort County for a $30 fee. It is part of a continuing effort to reduce the number of unwanted or homeless pets and is sponsored by the County Animal Shelter and the Sheldon Animal League.

Registration is required. To register or find out more, call 255-5010.